Open Letter To The Mayor Of Auckland Council

10 February 2011

Open Letter To The Mayor Of Auckland Council -
Re: Follow Up To Matters I Raised At The Auckland Council Governing Body Meeting 16 December 2010:

Mayor of Auckland Council
Len Brown.

Dear Len,

You granted me speaking rights for the meeting of the Governance Body of Auckland Council on 16 December 2010.

SUBJECT MATTER:

"1) Having just returned from Transparency International's
14th International Anti-Corruption Conference (10 - 13 November 2010), I wish to raise with the Auckland Council, the serious lack of 'transparency' regarding information (not) being made available to citizens and ratepayers of the Auckland region.

[Please be reminded that New Zealand is 'perceived' to be the least corrupt country in the world (along with Denmark and Singapore). Arguably - New Zealand should therefore be the 'most transparent'?]

a) The failure of former Executive Chair of the Auckland Transition Agency - Mark Ford, to provide information requested under the OIA, on 25 June 2010, on any of the following matters relating to his appointment of known 'water privatisers' involved with United Water to key 'Executive staff' positions at Watercare, and related matters:
b) The declining of my OIA request dated 11 October 2010, to the former Executive Chair of the Auckland Transition Agency - Mark Ford - which requested information on rates expenditure in the Auckland region:

2) Developments with the 'railroading' of the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Act 2010, and implications regarding the application of 'due diligence' to the current seven New Zealand United Water contracts.

(Please note that South Australia Water are NOT renewing their contract with United Water South Australia.)
3) The continuing persecution of Water Pressure Group members over disputed water services accounts"

It was resolved, and minuted that the following would happen:

http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/governingbodyminutes20101216.pdf

"8. DEPUTATIONS:

8.1 Deputation - Ms Penny Bright

Resolution number GB/2010/34

MOVED by Councillor Cathy Casey, seconded by Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse

a) That the report be received.
b) That Ms Penny Bright be thanked for her presentation.
c) that the issues raised by Penny Bright be forwarded to the appropriate Committee or Forum. - CARRIED "

(Please be reminded that my presentation, and responses from elected representatives have been recorded on video, for the public record.)

Although I have raised this matter with the appropriate senior member of 'Democracy' Services on more than one occasion - I have received no official 'outcome'.

These are serious matters.

WHAT issues have gone WHERE exactly?

I look forward to your prompt reply, as I will be discussing these issues at my Botany by-election campaign meeting dealing with privatisation and 'grand' corruption at local government level on Sunday 13 February 2011, at Botany Downs Secondary College, 575 Chapel Rd, Dannemora, from 3- 5pm.

Yours sincerely,

Penny Bright
Media Spokesperson
Water Pressure Group
Judicially recognised Public Watchdog on Metrowater, water and Auckland regional governance matters.
"Anti-corruption campaigner".

Attendee: Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference 2009
Attendee: Transparency International's 14th Anti-Corruption Conference 2010
Auckland Mayoral Candidate 2010.
Independent Candidate Botany by-election 2011.

ENDS

© Scoop Media